PPP - Panasonic Paradise Phone
Written: Feb 16 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cordless, clear reception, rechargeable, answering machine, speakerphone
Cons: Single line only, phone jack location (explanation below)
The Bottom Line: If you want a cheap cordless crystal clear phone that comes with an answering machine, this is for you.
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| Chewy's Full Review: Panasonic KX TC1520 900 MHz - Cordless Phone |
I bought this phone last year when I moved into my new apartment off campus. At the time, I was only looking for the following features:
1) Cordless - in the technology age that we're in now, why wouldn't you get a cordless? The price difference between corded and cordless phones is almost negligible.
2) Answering machine - self explanatory. I'm not the most popular guy on campus, but hey, I get calls :)
3) 900mhz - it sounds so technical, I just had to get it! :) well actually, the higher the frequency (mhz) a phone runs at, the greater the range it has to work with, giving you a clearer reception
So, after some research and reading reviews, I decided on this Panasonic model. Little did I know that this little phone package comes fully loaded with these three features and more. I'm not going to list every little feature, but here are what I feel are the key players (besides the ones I mentioned above):
4) Speakerphone - don't underestimate this guy. I always thought that speaker phones were of poor quality unless you put out some major cash. The one my parents have is totally useless. I don't even consider it a speaker phone! Not the case here. I have the base unit on my desk with my computer and I can speak and hear clearly at a distance of THREE FEET! (though, the recipient does recognize that he/she's on speakerphone, but your voice is still clear - just a bit softer).
5) Rechargable - Again, going back to my parents, their cordless phone runs on "rechargeable" batteries last last about two hours AFTER recharge. VERY SAD. This phone lasts up to EIGHT HOURS while IN USE and up to 21 days while on stand-by (not charging on the base unit).
6) Time and Day - Something that may seem useless, but it's always nice to know when someone calls. One thing I wish this phone had was a DATE feature - it only announces the DAY of the week and time they called. So if you were on vacation for four weeks, you wouldn't know which week they called on.
7) 15 minutes recording time (including greeting message) - depending on the person, this may or may not be adequate. For me, it's more than enough.
8) Redial - It's suprising how some phones these days don't come with one. SURPRISING.
9) Durable - unlike cellphones, if you drop this phone, it won't break. I've dropped it a few times and it stays intact (no scratches either!). The antenna is also solid and non-flimsy.
10) Message checking from remote phone - if you're at a payphone and you just HAVE TO check your messages, you dial in, put in your PIN#, and voila, instant message checking!
11) Phone Locator - self explanatory. Press this button and your phone will make a loud beeping sound so you can find it. Sofas and couches - no problem!
12) Message memory - Say you have to move the phone or accidentally kick the power cord out. With ordinary phones, your messages will be wiped out. Not with this! The second you replug your phone back in, all your messages are ready to be listened to.
13) Price - I don't remember exactly what I paid for it, but I think it was for around $80 - if not, definitely under $100
This phone also has speed dial and flash (for call waiting).
Here's a couple downsides that you may or may not find annoying:
1) SINGLE-LINE phone - If you have two phone lines in your house/apt, you can't use this phone for both lines. You will need to buy a separate phone or buy a MULTI-LINE phone. And no, you cannot use a phone line splitter (I've tried) :)
2) Phone jack location - it's located on the bottom of the base unit. To some, this may not seem like a big deal, but if you keep the unit on your desk, table, or ANY flat surface, the phone line will bend at a 90 degree angle. Anytime you need to disconnect the phone, you have to lift up the base unit to do so. I guess Panasonic really intended this phone to be mounted on the wall (which it CAN).
Well, all in all, this phone is the best phone I ever had. I guess after 20 years of using a corded phone and an antique answering machine that uses cassette tapes, I was due for a change. And so should you :)
Good luck.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Chewy
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Member: Andrew
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 5 members
About Me:
I did it for money.
I did it to help.
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